April 26, 2007

Keeping history alive

New Almaden Quicksilver Park van tour offers visit into past

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Once the oldest and richest mine in California, the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine is kept alive today by employees and volunteers from the Santa Clara County Parks. Twice monthly, park interpreters John Slenter and Mary Berger escort eager guests on van tours of the historic site.

The foundation is all that is left of the Buena Vista pump house and its sweeping views of Santa Clara valley. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“The van tour is an excellent way to see the park in a short period of time,” said Slenter. “It works well for young families and less ambulatory people giving a good perspective of the park layout and sparks their interest to come back and explore more of the park. Most people are amazed that this is in their own backyard.”

And from there, the park interpreters spin their web of the life of the mine managers who lived at the stately Casa Grande to the miners who lived and worked the hill. The approximately three hour and thirty minute tour begins at the home of the mine managers, which now serves as Santa Clara County Parks’ administration offices and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum.

Two packed vans travel down Almaden Road where the mining staff lived. Now, private residences marked with plaques identify their part of the history of the area. But that is just the beginning of the tour as visitors have not yet entered the historic mining towns in the hills above the historic district.

A visitor inspects a structure on the New Almaden Quicksilver Park van tour. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Though many of the structures have disappeared through the passage of time in the 4,147-acre park, enough remains for visitors to relive the mining days of long ago. Visitors will even experience a 40-foot walk into the San Cristobal tunnel to experience a miner’s day-to-day work. And it’s not just history enthusiasts who are interested in the visit; naturalists and creative souls find inspiration with the spectacular vistas and springtime wildflowers, which are now in bloom at Almaden Quicksilver Park.

“I had a great time on the van tour,” said San Bruno resident Linda Kelsey. “The two park interpreters were very knowledgeable about the history of the silver mine and even knew the names of the wildflowers. I love hearing about the history of the area and how the people survived the many challenges of everyday life. We even got to see parts of the mine that other people just walking the trail wouldn’t be able to see. I would definitely recommend the tour.”

Van tours are offered twice monthly to the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine leaving at 9 a.m. and returning after a bag lunch in the park. Bring water and lunch. Tour costs $5 per person and reservations are required. Call (408) 323-1107 for more information.